01/04/2005 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/4/25 letter was drafted, signed by him and Congressman Kucinich, and sent to the Plain Dealer, Westlife, Sun Herald, and Chronicle Telegram. It's very important to bring the issue to the public to encourage public opinion to come our way. The letter reads as follows: "To the Editor: We strongly support the North Olmsted Municipal Bus Line as an efficient public transportation system. We disagree with your December 30 editorial regarding this bus service and want to correct some inaccuracies. North Olmsted retained its independence 30 years ago, and again in a protracted lawsuit over the next several years because it provided a more efficient operation than RTA. Problems occurred in recent years because of RTA's actions, including stripping the North Olmsted system of its mid-day runs and failing to build a promised bus garage. It is inaccurate to say that this action is coming 30 years too late and that RTA's action is anything but a hostile takeover. In September and October of this year when RTA tried to cut service to North Olmsted, hundreds of North Ohnsted's riders, drivers, administrators, and elected leaders spoke up in protest. The people were alerted to the proposed cuts because the labor and management of the North Olmsted bus line were Baying attention and effectively advocated for continued service. Under pressure, RTA reluctantly relented. It was not until December 2004 that RTA started grumbling about the continued independence of the North Olmsted bus line. The Plain Dealer correctly points out that RTA owns the buses. However, these are capital expenditures supplied by the federal government, which understands that part of this expenditure is covering a contractual agreement on behalf of the people served by North Olmsted. North Olmsted is a major donor to regional mass transit in Cuyahoga County, providing an estimated $15-20 million in sales taxes through the 1 % transit tax. This contribution more than covers an approximate $1.4 million in administrative costs. RTA, in threatening to cut service, and later threatening a hostile takeover, proves itself unable or unwilling to look after the needs of the riders of North Olmsted. We intend to continue to assert the rights of the people of North Olmsted under both the home rule section of the Ohio Constitution and the spirit of the law which created the Regional Transit Authority. Sincerely, Dennis J. Kucinich and Norman Musial." After the letter was sent, meetings were held to create a proposal, in cooperation with Congressman Kucinich, which will be presented to RTA for their consideration. Law Director Dubelko: 1) Commented that the letter from the Mayor and Congressman was good. It was a great battle that the city fought back in the late 1970's and 1980's. As a law clerk, he helped create strategy for the city in the litigation in state court and he argued the case in federal court. It was a battle worth fighting them. It's a battle worth fighting now. All members on the negotiating team look forward to having the proposal to deliver to RTA. 2) Thank you to everyone who expressed condolences to his family on the occasion of the death of his mother-in-law, Nellie Kolar, who passed away on Christmas Day. 3) He would like to pay tribute to Judge John V. Corrigan who passed away on New Year's Eve. Judge Corrigan served Cuyahoga County for 42 years, including 18 years on the County Court of Appeals. He was privileged to be Judge Corrigan's law clerk for two years. The judge was a man who stood for absolute integrity in public service. 4) His 2004 annual report has been distributed and will also be published on the city's website. He has previously had the habit of summing up each year in two words or less. 4